Q: There are many people who killed each other because of their ethnic groups. Why haven't there been more people in Burundi who behaved like Pauline and saved others?
Bagumako: All persons are not all good at the same level. Some people are tolerant while others are like animals.

Q: Do you understand why Pauline risked her life and saved you?
Bagumako: I understand it very much. We were good neighbours. I was living there for around four years. We have been living together harmoniously. We were giving to each other the fire. They took whatever they wanted from me and vice versa. I know she risked her life to save me.

Q: When you saw the murderers for the first time, did you think Pauline would save you?
Bagumako: No! But when I noticed she had tried to save my family and that she was trying to save me, I realised she would not kill me.

Q: What made you save Bagumako?
Pauline: I saved him because we were good neighbours. We were not interested in matters related to ethnic groups. But there are many others who didn’t save people who were in danger. I like people. I could not let him be killed for no reason. He is a person like me. I saved him and he is still grateful. He keeps telling me, “My family and I are still alive due to you and God.”

Q: After you have saved them, how did the Hutu behave towards you, did they hate you?
Pauline: Some time later, the killers came back and asked us why we didn’t let them kill the Tutsi? I told them that I did it because of love I have for people. What they gained by killing Tutsi? I asked them.

During a search of Barundi who saved people of the other ethnic group, we were identified as such people. What I’m telling you is what I have already told many others. In 2004, we were invited to a summit where we have were named heroes.

Q: How is your relationships with the killers?
Pauline: We are living well with the ones who are still alive. But many of them have been killed during the war. The leader of the group died in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Interview by Maziar Bahari
Translated by Tatien Nkeshimana
Edited by David Shem-Tov